Editorial | Weigh plans for long-term resettlement of Hong Kong fire victims with care
It is good that officials are keeping an open mind and not rushing into any decisions. Hopefully, it will not be too long before suitable options are proposed
Housing thousands of people left homeless by the deadly Tai Po blaze is a daunting task. The Hong Kong government, to its credit, has swiftly secured short-term accommodation for the affected families. The long-term settlement is understandably more challenging, with households having different circumstances and considerations. Officials should weigh all proposals carefully, taking into account residents’ preferences, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, financial prudence and other factors so as to provide the best options within a reasonable time.
No fewer than five proposals have been raised so far. These include purchasing property rights from homeowners, prioritising displaced residents for purchasing subsidised flats under the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS), building new flats in Tai Po, relocating the eligible to public housing and in-situ restoration or reconstruction.
The government’s commitment to keeping an open mind at this stage is welcome. But evidently, some options may seem less viable. “These buildings may not have an immediate risk of collapsing today, but it does not mean they can be reasonably repaired,” said Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun, who heads a task force on resettlement for the fire victims.
At least 161 people died when the city’s deadliest high-rise building fire engulfed seven of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court, a subsidised HOS project built four decades ago. Wong said some victims might not want to return because of the trauma even if their homes were rebuilt.
Understandably, the different backgrounds and circumstances of the residents mean no single option can satisfy all. Fortunately, the relatively healthy level of post-disaster donations – currently some HK$3 billion has yet to be allocated – has provided ample financial resources and flexibility when deciding the way forward.
It is good that officials are not rushing into any decision, given that social workers are still liaising with the victims who may need more time to make up their minds. Hopefully, it will not take long for the authorities to come up with some options that suit the interests of households as well as those of wider society.